The following is based on a communication sent from the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and other UN experts to the Government of Liberia on 30 April 2026. The communication remained confidential for 60 days before being made public, giving the Government time to reply. As of the time of writing, no response has been received from the Government. If a response is received, it will be posted on the Special Procedures communications database.
Reportedly, since the communication was sent, there has been no significant progress in the investigation process. A copy of the investigate report was allegedly not yet provided to Mr. Jonathan M.D. Yanzee, and the outcome and findings of the investigation were not yet officially communicated by the Liberia National Police.
This is a shorter version of the communication.
BACKGROUND
The communication was sent on 20 April 2026 by five UN mandates: the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, the Working Sent on 30 April 2026 by three mandates: the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, and the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
It concerns Jonathan M.D. Yanzee, Executive Director of the Campaign for Human Rights and Development (CHRD), a youth-led civil society organization working on justice, rule of law, and human rights protection.
ALLEGATIONS
On 24 April 2026, investigators visited the incident site and took statements from both sides.
On 15 March 2026, between 7-9 p.m., Yanzee was in the 1405 community of Barnesville Township to congratulate winners of a community election he had observed.
He was violently attacked, reportedly beaten by officers of the Anti-Robbery Unit of the Liberia National Police, who were conducting an operation related to alleged electricity theft.
The attack allegedly began after he asked community members what was happening while observing from a distance; an officer shone a flashlight in his face and began punching him.
He was reportedly forced into a police vehicle, where he was subjected to further abuse: death threats, verbal attacks, and physical assault that caused eye bleeding and blood in his cough.
Officers reportedly knew he was a human rights defender and threatened to “deal with him” before he could advocate for others.
Officers allegedly searched his pockets and took $360 USD.
He was taken to Liberia National Police Headquarters and released a few hours later, after a community member allegedly paid $30 USD to police.
Police reportedly took his photograph at the station.
On 17 March 2026, he reported the case to the Professional Standards Division.
On 20 April 2026, an investigation was confirmed to have started.
CONCERNS
- The experts express “most serious concern” about the violent attack, suggesting he may have been targeted for exercising his right to freedom of expression and for his role monitoring police conduct during the election.
- They stress the government’s due-diligence obligation to investigate and hold perpetrators accountable.
